Pre-torching kanthal for rebuildables?

[Cavediver]

I need to wind some kanthal onto a smaller spool for my travel box (I'm using a metal sewing machine bobbin). While I'm at it, is there any reason I can't torch it before putting it onto the new spool? It'd be nice to eliminate the torch from my travel box.

 

[DoogieTony]

Sure, why not?
Torching is mainly to remove any residue left over from manufacturing, so I don't see a problem with pre torching.

 

[Judge Dredd]

There's no problem with it, just be careful because it will be more brittle and pieces will break easier from the heat.

 

[Thunderball]

I need to wind some kanthal onto a smaller spool for my travel box (I'm using a metal sewing machine bobbin). While I'm at it, is there any reason I can't torch it before putting it onto the new spool? It'd be nice to eliminate the torch from my travel box.

Hi Cavediver.
Never thought about that. I think the above suggestion about the brittleness is warranted but dont think it would be a problem. Interesting question though.

 

[savagemann]

Not sure about torching making it that much more brittle, but it will make it much less springy.
Much easier to wrap a coil after torching when it is less springy.

 

[Rule62]

Torching the wire won't make it more brittle. Quite the opposite; it becomes more pliable. The kanthal I buy is already labeled as 'annealed'; but I always torch it anyway, prior to wrapping, just as force of habit.

 

[SimianSteam]

Doesn't torching oxidize the wire? Not an issue when you're building an atty and it's going to be constantly coated in ejuice, but if it'd be exposed to air for a long period of time I'd be concerned about corrosion or further oxidation.

 

[mocha_jo1]

I actually did the same with the kanthal that I keep in my daily spare parts kit.

 

[Cavediver]

Doesn't torching oxidize the wire? Not an issue when you're building an atty and it's going to be constantly coated in ejuice, but if it'd be exposed to air for a long period of time I'd be concerned about corrosion or further oxidation.

Yeah, that's the only possibe downside I could think of, but I have no idea how susceptable Kanthal is to corrosion. I guess i should re-wrap it as is, and also do a trial piece to see what happens to it after a couple of weeks.

 

[montara]

Rather than dealing with a small roll of springy wire, I cut a '10 chunk, torch and pre cut into 4>5" pieces. This annealing straighten the wire allowing for nice coiling. Stores and travels well too.

 

[justinonymous]

Using a pocket torch you're annealing the wire. If you use a real torch and you go to hot, yes the wire becomes brittle. Ive torched a couple of times with a big torch and when I pull the wire while wrapping to make it tight it snaps. I use 26g so it's already thick, but it never snaps unless I torch it too hot.

 

[RandomFellow]

Worst case scenario, a bic lighter can be used. Much easier to travel with.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cavediver]

Worst case scenario, a bic lighter can be used. Much easier to travel with.

But the torch is so much more fun to play with

That's a good point though, and it's probably what I'll do for now.


I tried to figure out a good way to torch the wire as I wound it from one spool to the other. My best method was a little scary, so I wound up doing the first batch as-is and not torching it. It was a good idea, just tougher to execute than I had first imagined.

 

[CocoaButter]

Every wire i touch is torched multiple times..
1: Annealed from factory
2: torched straight and pulled with tweezers
3: coiled, torched, pressed, torched, pressed, torched, pressed, torched, pressed
4: Put on the atomizer and fired multiple times to take out hotspots
5: Wick inserted, and test fired.

Edit: Typos